The Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office is about to add two new employees. 

Sheriff Marty Arganbright says his two new K-9 units should be in the county this week.

“The K-9 handlers will come back and they’ll do more training with the trainers out of Cass County. Then, [the handlers] will just start taking them on the job to get used to the handler and the environment.”

Arganbright considers the animals like deputies.

“K-9 are the same as police officers. They’re protected. They (the suspect) kill a K-9, and it’s the same as killing a human police officer. They have a badge and they’re certified. We actually have a bulletproof vest for the dog.”

The dogs are dual-purpose animals, meaning they can be used for both suspect apprehension and search purposes.